Most fabric bags or totes for kids are rather wimpy. I remember putting toys and books in fabric bags for my boys, but the parts and pieces would often get lost in the bottom of the bag. After buying adorable finger puppets for my granddaughters, I knew they needed a home in an activity bag.

Edgestitch along the fold and 1/2″ from the fold, creating a casing for the ribbon. (Make certain that the distance between the stitchings is slightly wider than the ribbon.)

Back stitch at both seam intersections. (This is really important! You’ll see why later.)

Here’s a close-up of back stitching at the seam intersections.

Pin the upper bag over lower bag, pinning entire edge together.

Stitch with a 1/2″ seam allowance.

Turn the upper bag fabric right side up.

Use a seam ripper to remove the stitches between the casing stitches.

Cut the ribbon into two 1-yard lengths.

Thread the ribbon through the casing. Tie the ends together.

Repeat at the other side seam, inserting the remaining 1-yard length of ribbon.

Presto, you’re done! The inside is bright and sturdy, thanks to the Peltex underlining. There will not be any lost toys in this activity bag!

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Also, several of you have asked for downloadable, printable instructions of this project. For your convenience, the Kids’ Activity Bag is now available to purchase as a downloadable file.

Bye for now,

Nancy Zieman—author, pattern designer, businesswomen, producer, and national sewing authority—is the host of the popular show Sewing With Nancy®, which appears exclusively on public television stations across the United States and Canada. Follow Nancy’s Blog at NancyZieman.com/Blog and sign up to receive Nancy’s E-News for the latest news in Sewing, Quilting, & Creating.

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19 Comments

Anne CatesOctober 1, 2016

My great-grandchildren love these and they are not hard to make.

CrystalOctober 1, 2016

Such a neat bag. One question: What is the approximate size of the bag? They look large on the stairs, but small next to Nancy’s hand in the tutorials? If I missed it in the directions, please forgive me!

How stiff is Peltex? I have heavy iron on interfacing, and I have very heavy, stiff iron on squares of a product I bought online to use with making purses. Not sure what it is called, but I would have to use two pieces and sew at bottom seam. Which do you recommend? Thanks, can’t wait to make this!

Nancy ZiemanMarch 26, 2014

Laure, Peltex is thick, much thicker than a heavy iron-on interfacing. I think you’ll like using it!

CindyDecember 18, 2013

I’m a little confused by the directions, can someone help me out?

The first step says – Fold two fat quarters, meeting the short edges. Note — trim off the selvage edges. These fabrics will be used as the outer and inner lower bags. Got it…

Second step says – Stack the fabrics and cut 10″ x 13″ rectangles. Two outer lower bag rectangles and two for the inner lining. Trim out 3″ squares at the lower corners, as shown in photo.

This is where I’m confused – the folded material is only 9″. Do I unfold it? So I have a lot of wasted material? I’m lost!

I will appreciate any and all help!

Thanks,
Cindy

Nancy ZiemanDecember 19, 2013

Cindy, thank you for writing. I will update the instructions so they are not confusing. The fat quarters are folded to trim off the selvages with one cut of a rotary cutter. I never explained to unfold them. Sorry for the confusion, you had ever right to be confused!

Beckie PNovember 29, 2012

Thank you so much for this neat bag. I have grand children and great grandchildren that would like this.
Beckie

Thanks for this cuter than cute and easy bag tutorial.it goes in my keeper pile for sure.I just made a pillowcase dress for my neice in FL out of Tinkerbell fabric and I have some remnants that will be just enough to make this bag.I have made a lot of those little dresses this summer.Love you bunches!